When spring has come,
will it be seen as flowers?
On white snow
clinging to the branches,
the bush warbler cries.

Meaning

Now that spring has come, does the bush warbler cry, thinking the white snow that has fallen upon the plum branches to be flowers?

Commentary

A poem that sings of snow fallen upon the branches of a plum tree.

The snow is likened to plum blossoms. Not only people, but even the bush warbler is said to mistake the snow for flowers. The overlapping imagery of white snow and white plum blossoms has long been found in both Chinese poetry and waka.
The white plum of early spring, the snow of spring, and the cry of the bush warbler are all motifs that evoke elegance and purity.

Author

Sosei Hoshi

Source

Kokin Wakashu

Other

Even if forgot, will a traveler draw and drink from Tamagawa— in the depths of Mount Kōya, these waters of Tamagawa?
In anguish falls this rain that pours and pours— Miwa’s cape; at Sano’s crossing there is not even a house at all.
With deep intent I stained my heart at that time; so it may be seen as flowers of snow that could not fade away.
Though I stand here in the light of spring’s own sun, still upon my head the snow falls down, and this is wretched to me.

When spring has come, will it be seen as flowers? On white snow clinging to the branches, the bush warbler cries.

When spring has come,
will it be seen as flowers?
On white snow
clinging to the branches,
the bush warbler cries.